FRIENDS and family of a former Looe woman who is seriously ill with cancer are reaching out across the globe to help fund treatment that could save her life.

Joanne Irwin was brought up in Looe, attending primary and secondary school in the town. After leaving school, she followed the backpacker trail to Australia in the early 1990s, working her way around the country before settling and having her children, Jerome, now 19, and Sabina, 17.

Jo, who is 46 and living in Fremantle, Western Australia, is battling stage 4 melanoma, an advanced form of skin cancer.

Her father Don Irwin, who was originally from Looe and now lives in France, said: 'Under the Australian NHS, Joanne has received several rounds of treatment but without success.

'Her condition is very serious and her oncologist recommends a drug, not available under the Australian health service, which has been successful in cases similar to Joanne's.'

Friends and family of Jo around the world have rallied, and the internet has been an invaluable tool: they have already raised around £68,000 of the £80,000 needed for her treatment.

A FundRazr (fundrazr. com) website set up by Jo's cousin Paul Morris, from Birmingham, has been a success, raising £14,600.

Speaking in a video clip on the site, Don, and Jo's stepmum Joan, give an emotional thank you to all those who have donated.

'We are now within £12,000 of our £80,000 target. Help from family, friends and even strangers has been truly beyond belief,' said Don.

Jo's brother, Mike Irwin, a self-employed builder in Looe, is planning some local fundraising. Mike visited his sister in Australia in November and was there with her to hear the news that her most recent treatment had failed.

Mike said: 'Jo is happy, fun-loving and caring. She's always loved life and is very dear to us all.'

Mike is training for the Plymouth half-marathon in April and, having never entered a running event before, is determined to bring in as much sponsorship as he can. He and his wife Karen will also be staging a fundraising party on Saturday, March 23.